Friends and clients tell me in horror that they have an autoimmunity. I am saddened both by how often I hear this and the prognosis. My mind goes to Lyme disease as a potential factor. Chronic Lyme and Autoimmunity often go together.
I regularly talk about it and suggest people get tested, other times I bite my tongue. I check myself, because some people can’t handle more info. In the moment it will do more harm than good.
It is a struggle because I don’t want anyone to miss part of the puzzle that could help their recovery. Tick born illness is pretty common around where I live and work. Lyme certainly was a factor in my own autoimmunity.
Many factors contribute, so autoimmune disease is complicated. When you look at the elements that influence autoimmunity, it is simple to see that chronic Lyme can be a potent factor. Years of untreated long lasting infections stresses and irritates the immune system. It becomes less accurate in performing its job and trouble starts.
What does Science Say About Lyme and Autoimmunity?
“Long-term exposure of the host immune system to spirochaetes and/or borrelial compounds may induce chronic autoimmune disease. The study of bacterium-host interactions has revealed a variety of proinflammatory and also immunomodulatory-immunosuppressive features caused by the pathogen.” Clin Microbiol Infect. 2004 Jul;10(7):598-614.
In the simplest terms Lyme bacteria screw with our immune system.
Information in the scientific literature backs up the premise that the chronic Lyme infection contributes to the development of autoimmune conditions. Multiple mechanisms include inflammation, immune system overwhelm and molecular mimicry. They disturb immune system response. Unfortunately many mainstream health care practitioners don’t have this understanding when they give people the news of an autoimmune diagnosis. Testing for Lyme and chronic infection is not routine.
The potential down side of missed Lyme diagnosis is big. If you have questions or concerns. Get informed, get tested and get treated. Heal and skip any complications.
Lifestyle and health factors that irritate and confuse your immune system.
For more information on Lyme symptoms and complications check this link
Take Action Support Immune Health
Based on all this science, it makes sense, that if you have chronic Lyme you need to plug in and your support immune system as much as possible. Address the factors in your life that tax your immune system health.
Work with your health care team to build or rebuild a healthy immune system health while you heal from Lyme disease. Knock Lyme and autoimmunity out of your future.
- Heal your gut. Clean Up your Food, Make it whole and nutrient dense
- Detox your life reduce chemical, EMF and Mold exposure
- Cut down sources of chronic inflammation.
- Treat infections with help from your health care team.
- Get consistent quality sleep
Don’t add the additional burden of healing an autoimmune disease or diseases. It is plenty of work heal from Lyme!
The information provided on this website is not a substitute for professional medical care, treatment or advice. All the material here is for information purposes only. Always share strategy and work with your health care team.